The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that escalating conflict across the Middle East has displaced more than four million people and triggered widespread attacks on healthcare.
In its latest global situation report released on April 9, the health agency warned that the crisis is deepening humanitarian needs across several countries, with health systems increasingly under pressure.
According to the report, Iran has recorded approximately 3.2 million displaced individuals, while Lebanon hosts over 1.4 million displaced people.
Casualty figures across affected countries also remain high. Iran reported 32,314 injuries and 2,362 deaths, while Lebanon documented 5,873 injuries and 1,739 deaths. Iraq recorded 300 injuries and 109 deaths, and Israel reported 7,183 injuries and 24 deaths. The organization noted that these figures are estimates and subject to change as data evolves.
Attacks on healthcare
The WHO stated that attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel have markedly increased in the region, with a significant surge observed in Lebanon. The agency confirmed 106 verified attacks on healthcare in Lebanon, which resulted in 158 injuries and 57 deaths among health workers and patients. Iran recorded 23 such incidents, while Israel reported six.
"Attacks on health care have increased across the region, undermining health system functionality and violating international humanitarian law," the report stated.
In Lebanon, attacks have impacted hospitals, ambulances, and health workers, with incidents occurring at an average of nearly three times daily over the past five weeks. Paramedics and emergency responders have been injured or killed while attending to casualties, sometimes during repeated strikes on the same locations.
Ceasefire offers limited relief
While a two-week ceasefire has provided some respite in Iran, the WHO indicated that this pause does not address the broader health challenges in the region and does not extend to Lebanon. The organization cautioned that humanitarian access and operational capacity remain significant obstacles, compounded by airspace restrictions and rising transportation costs that hinder the delivery of medical supplies.
Despite these challenges, the WHO noted that there are currently no substantial shortages of medical supplies, and the global production of key health commodities remains stable.
Emerging water and disease risks
The report highlighted growing concerns regarding damage to essential infrastructure, particularly water systems. The WHO mentioned awareness of four strikes on water desalination facilities in Iran, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Disruptions to these facilities could lead to water scarcity, hospital closures, and the outbreak of waterborne diseases.
"Several countries in the region depend on desalination for 70–100 per cent of their drinking water," the organization stated.
Primary health threats identified include trauma injuries, disruption to chronic disease management, and the potential for disease outbreaks in overcrowded shelters. The WHO also warned of radiological, nuclear, and industrial chemical risks, alongside the exacerbation of mental health conditions due to increased psychological distress and relapse of existing issues amid limited access to care.
Damaged facilities
In Iran, the WHO reported that the Pasteur Institute, a key public health institution, sustained severe damage on April 2. Strikes targeting power plants are also escalating the risk of disruptions to vital health services, particularly for patients undergoing dialysis and chemotherapy.
The WHO stated that Iran has confirmed its strategic medicine reserves are adequate, and imports of essential medicines are continuing. The organization is developing a comprehensive response plan and supporting the Ministry of Health through procurement, vaccine coordination with UNICEF, and efforts to rehabilitate damaged health facilities.
Vulnerable populations at risk
In Lebanon, the WHO noted that vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, displaced persons, and individuals with disabilities, are disproportionately affected and bearing the brunt of the crisis. Approximately 10 to 12 percent of internally displaced persons are currently residing in collective shelters, where access to primary healthcare is limited and inconsistent.
An estimated 75,000 to 100,000 people remain in southern Lebanon, dispersed across numerous districts, despite ongoing hostilities. Mobile clinics are operational across the South and Nabatieh governorates, moving between villages and shelters, though their activities are constrained by security conditions and evacuation directives.
The report warned that crowded shelters and inadequate services heighten the risk of communicable disease outbreaks, underscoring the necessity for enhanced disease surveillance and rapid response systems in shelter settings.
Emergency response under threat
The WHO reported that attacks on healthcare in Lebanon remain frequent, averaging around 2.9 incidents daily over the past 37 days. Paramedics and civil defence personnel have faced injuries or fatalities while responding to emergencies, including instances where responders were targeted during repeated attacks on the same locations.
"Ambulances and emergency responders continue to be exposed to both direct and indirect fire," the WHO said, warning that these conditions compromise rescue operations and "leaving the injured with diminishing chances of survival."
Treatment support and disease prevention
The WHO is supporting Lebanon's health system with assistance from the European Union, focusing on ensuring access to essential medicines. The organization is sustaining the supply of medicines for noncommunicable diseases and mental health through the primary healthcare network and covering hospitalization costs for trauma care for non-Lebanese patients.
"To date, 44 patients have been supported across nine hospitals," the report stated.
At the request of the Ministry of Public Health, the WHO has developed educational materials for use in shelters, covering disease prevention, early detection, containment measures, and food safety. Support also includes strengthening surveillance systems, assisting the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, and reinforcing health service delivery and supply chains.
Incidents compound crisis
In the occupied Palestinian territories, the WHO reported the death of a staff member working with its Gaza office on April 6, leading to the suspension of medical evacuations via the Rafah crossing until further notice.
In Syria, the agency warned of indirect health threats, such as injuries from falling debris and unexploded ordnance, alongside an ongoing measles outbreak in Hassakah in the northeast. In Israel, hospitals are treating an increasing number of patients for traumatic stress following the escalation. The Ministry of Health also reported four fatalities in a missile attack on Haifa on April 7, with hospitals responding to multiple mass casualty incidents.
Regional spillover
Beyond the immediate conflict zones, the WHO reported incidents including the killing of three individuals in a shooting near the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, as per media reports. Azerbaijan has also dispatched its third humanitarian aid convoy to Iran, comprising food, medicines, and medical supplies totaling 200 tonnes.
The organization noted that cross-border population movements into neighboring countries, including Türkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan, have remained steady, with no large-scale influx reported.
Response and funding gap
The WHO is coordinating regional response efforts, concentrating on disease surveillance, emergency care, mental health support, and the continuity of essential services. It emphasized the need for backup systems for health facilities, improved immunization coverage, and reinforced early warning systems.
"Engaging with communities, understanding their concerns and monitoring needs is important as the crisis evolves," the organization stated.
The WHO has launched a $30 million funding appeal to support its response in Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, and Syria for the period between March and August.
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